Dino's 03' Flame Red Rubi Build

[Dino03TJ]

I recently got back into the whole Jeep thing after taking about 4 years off due to just life in general. I can't believe how much I missed it all. I decided unlike my last few builds to start off with a Rubicon to save with the headaches of the axle swaps and re-gearing (for now). I found a completely stock 03' Rubicon on AutoTrader in MN , so June 1st off to MN I (we) went. Took my wife Joy with me to help with the driving since I had to make it an extremely fast trip (and I love her company), made it in 22 hrs with a three hour nap at a rest area. pics from the trip down -
at the rest area we passed out at -
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/250910_1749518346651_1499616343_31512933_155161_n.jpg
LOTS of highway - -
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/253150_1749518866664_1499616343_31512935_3483727_n.jpg
took a stop at a gas station to put the seat risers on (yes I took them with me and the tools to install them, we are both 5'6" and I have owned enough Wrangler's to know I would regret not having them on the drive) I went with Randy for these from BPM since I trust his products and have used them in the past -
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/249670_1749521746736_1499616343_31512951_2206806_n.jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/252030_1749522666759_1499616343_31512956_7463571_n.jpg
almost home; a happy couple to be done driving -
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/250245_1749525066819_1499616343_31512969_5560628_n.jpg
I had the seat risers from BPM ordered the day I bought the rig knowing I would want them installed, they are great!
My list of to-do's includes (as of now) -
4" RC X Series lift (already ordered, putting on this month)
new drive shaft, TW (already on its way)
new steering stabilizer (on it's way)
new Body Bushings (already on as of this post) made a difference for sure
1/2" ROKMEN BL (already on as of this post)
ROKMEN Up-Armor 2 kit (hopefully in July)
Bushwacker Flat Style Flares (already done as of this post)
Grab handles (done)
CAI and TBS (done)
35's TA's (already bought sitting in garage for after lift install)
17" Mickey T's for large brake upgrade down the road (in garage tires are mounted)
possibly spraying the frame due to a little surface rust form up north
possibly going to MetalCloaks if I don't like the BW Flares
Might put on sliders if the Rubi guard sucks
tons of other little things as the build progress'
Thanks for staying tuned!

[Dino03TJ]

Got home, got situated, and looked over the Jeep. I found a little bit of surface rust on the underside, but what can I expect for a northern rig that is 8 years old. First I put on the CAI and TBS (I know some think it is worthless but for the cheap price, whatever) -
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/248484_1756616164092_1499616343_31521158_4630404_n.jpg
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/250409_1756618124141_1499616343_31521167_2899209_n.jpg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/251120_1756619564177_1499616343_31521177_574620_n.jpg
then I installed the new body mounts, actually added about an 1/8" due to the orginals being so worn out -
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/255065_1756616404098_1499616343_31521159_1954870_n.jpg
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/248922_1756620124191_1499616343_31521180_1413518_n.jpg
added the 1/2" ROKMEN BL while I was under there ofcourse -
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/250480_1756616724106_1499616343_31521160_5529682_n.jpg
all in all it gave me about 7/8", well worth it -
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/250009_1756621924236_1499616343_31521189_3284110_n.jpg
there were a few rock chips that needed to be touched up and Joy told me she should do it since she uses finger nail polish, who am I to argue -
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/255725_1756621564227_1499616343_31521187_1102001_n.jpg
It is all going great!

[Dino03TJ]

ready to spend money before Joy realizes how much this is actually costing.. So it is on to the lift and new tires/wheels. Bought a set of 35's on 17" off of craigslist from a fellow Jeeper, they only have a few thousand miles and are in great shape, he upgraded to 37's.
new rubber -
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/253788_1770898161133_1499616343_31539916_408170_n.jpg
since the flat style fenders are in and the lift is not, I am going to knock them out of the way -
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/248933_1770901041205_1499616343_31539932_2654137_n.jpg
by the way, if you have not had the pleasure of removing the factory nutserts, good luck.. they suck!
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/249978_1770901161208_1499616343_31539933_3057202_n.jpg
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/251053_1770901441215_1499616343_31539935_5203106_n.jpg
not gonna lie these things say 2 1/2" of extra clearence, it was EVERY bit of that plus a little, a good upgrade to help with the bigger tires without the cost of the tube fenders yet.
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/250998_1770904081281_1499616343_31539949_7099040_n.jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/254323_1770904521292_1499616343_31539952_1483751_n.jpg
I added the lights on the fenders and finished that up, took about 6 hours after the fight with the three nutserts that wouldn't give up. While I was under the vehicle I sprayed the key areas with PB blaster in hopes the lift might go on easier that way, we will see this weekend.
I have removed the factory bumper ends and added some stickers I liked. I have had the top off since I got back even though it has been tripple digits. So glad to be back to the Jeep scene and I can't wait to finish it and get out there and wheel it!

[Ricky Booby]

Looking good.

[Dino03TJ]

thanks Ricky Booby! It is a work in progress, but what Jeep isn't?!

[HillBillE]

....... I found a completely stock 03' Rubicon on AutoTrader in MN , so June 1st off to MN I (we) went. Took my wife Joy with me to help with the driving since I had to make it an extremely fast trip (and I love her company), made it in 22 hrs with a three hour nap at a rest area. ........


Damn Dino! That's MOVING!!!!!!!!! I used to run from Ft. Hood to home (Duluth, MN) My best time was 18 hours 15 minutes. That was with only 2 stops for gas, and no naps!

If the family was with, it was an easy 26-28 hour trip-or a hotel 1/2 way.


Rig looks great!!

[HillBillE]

Got to add: Is that an auto, or a stick?

If it's an auto, take a real close look at the cooling lines. just in front of the trans, there is a plastic clip that holds the two lines together.

Up here in MN, they put a lot of salt on the roads. This plastic clip holds that salt in, and rots the lines.

Had to repair/replace my buddys Rubi trans lines while in Moab this spring, they were rotted so bad. His is an '03.

[Dino03TJ]

Thanks HillBillE, jeep is definetly coming along. Tons to do still, but that is ok as long as I am spending time on the Jeep I am happy!
Ya, we were cruising between 75-90 most of the way and only saw one cop who already had someone pulled over. Pretty quick trip, too bad I would have liked to enjoy the countryside a little more.
It is an auto, I will look at the clip and lines this weekend when I am installing the lift, thanks for that heads up!

[Dino03TJ]

***For those of you that are wondering or have asked - ALL of the items coming off of the Rubi are for sale.. The nurf bars, fenders, stock susp, stock body mounts, wheels and tires (5), stock air intake, etc.. ****

[Dino03TJ]

so my lift is not being shipped on time due to CA's not in stock, looks like the lift is going to wait one more weekend.. I guess it all worked out, my TJ - JK wheel adapters got in last night and my dumb butt ordered 1 set when online orginally - ya, 1 set is two adapters.. dumb mistake. So I placed another order last night and already received confirmation those shipped this morning. I guess that is just one extra week to PB blast everything a little more. until then...

[Dino03TJ]

put on the new door hinge bushings this week while I am waiting for the lift to get in, it was shipped (finally) today and should be here friday. I am taking off the original suspension friday and installing on sunday.
new bushings in-
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/270240_1786694316027_1499616343_31558223_2113387_n.jpg
left the doors off for the week since I went through all that trouble -
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/265155_1786695036045_1499616343_31558225_1424395_n.jpg
old bushings out (it took a drill, chisel, hammer, screwdriver, and tons of effort to get them all out) -
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/262010_1786695436055_1499616343_31558227_3709606_n.jpg
Also I recieved my spridertrax spacers this week, can't wait to get the lift and new wheels on -
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/263110_1786696196074_1499616343_31558231_7258945_n.jpg
new wheels just sitting there... -
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/262010_1786695596059_1499616343_31558229_6387648_n.jpg
should look good on -
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/259860_1786695516057_1499616343_31558228_7292014_n.jpg
Should be a good weekend, I just hope all the PB Blaster is doing its job for me before I bust my knuckles too bad this weekend.
Will post pics after I remove everything!

[Dino03TJ]

Just got an update from UPS - my lift is 'Scheduled for early delivery' due in tomorrow! I was taking the old lift off anyway tomorrow and planning on waiting until next week to start installing, but now i will do it this weekend! Can't wait!! Never heard of early delivery on any order I have placed, but UPS is now on my good side.

[Mr.RonGilbert]

This thing's gonna be sweet! The PB blaster was a good move and should help. An Impact will make your life easier as well...

Looking forward to the progress.

[DaK]

Man on a mission. Nice lookin' rig. Partial to the red myself.

[eagle_91wrangler]

looks great so far

[Dino03TJ]

thanks guys! It was all begun yesterday and the original suspension was INSANE to take off, 8 years of grime guild up and rusting made it almost impossible on some bolts. I spent 2 hours on one of the rear upper shock bolts that broke, finally just drilled a new hole up there. I still have not got off my sway bar ends, might use that as an excuse to get an antirock! I began putting on the new lift after UPS showed up around 730pm, finally called it a night about 11 (9 hours of wrenching). I am planning on finishing sunday morning and getting it on the road. Pics to follow..

[Dino03TJ]

the lift was a total headache, I guess the one perk to having a bigger payment is your Jeep is probably newer. The 8 years of grime and rust build up was insane to deal with. It took about an extra 4 hours to get ALL the old parts off the Jeep, counting the pitman arm and sway links, etc.. It was all worth it in the end!
The FR sway links would NOT come out with a pickle fork, finally took a sledge to them and knocked them out after some serious swings -
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/267543_1826038499607_1499616343_31569140_1562111_n.jpg
got the front pretty much loosened up and ready to work on -
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/269794_1826038699612_1499616343_31569141_6881617_n.jpg
while I was waiting for the UPS truck to show up I added the wheel adapters for the JK rim pattern on my 17's -
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/260512_1826039099622_1499616343_31569143_4633462_n.jpg
got the rear loosened up and the adapters installed -
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/271078_1826039339628_1499616343_31569145_7179296_n.jpg
It is here - - - -
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/264867_1826039619635_1499616343_31569147_7132629_n.jpg
and, it is on - - -
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/263626_1826040299652_1499616343_31569151_1097587_n.jpg
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/268647_1826039859641_1499616343_31569148_1045958_n.jpg
the photos are a little dark, it was about 9 pm on Sunday when I finally finished the lift, my buddy Luis showed up and was a HUGE help - thanks man!
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/270448_1826040219650_1499616343_31569150_789504_n.jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/262364_1826040459656_1499616343_31569152_319953_n.jpg
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/268371_1826040539658_1499616343_31569153_2445990_n.jpg
What can I say, I am a Happy Jeeper!!!
more pics (in the light) to follow, hopefully some flex shots too.

[Dino03TJ]

thoughts on gears for this build - the 5.89 vs. 5.13... I am leaning towards the 5.89 just for the fact I do quite a bit of highway driving and figured it would be the best with up to a 37" tire if I go up down the road. Thoughts on this issue??